A: Complete culture shock. My first “welcome to NYC” experience, I woke up to a winter wonderland in Jamaica, Queens. Unbeknown to the harsh winters on the East Coast, I put on a sweatshirt, jeans and sneakers (which most of us would do coming from San Diego) and I opened the front door. Seeing all the snow on the ground for the first time took my breath away. With a huge smile on my face, I started down the steps and through the yard. After encountering a large patch of slick ice, I lied on my back for a few minutes staring at the white sky. I then realized this is not San Diego.

Q: What did you learn about New York theater while you worked there?

A: That I was very fortunate to have my job and that a lot of performers would kill to have that job. I also learned the importance of implementing an exit strategy, so that when the time came to leave the job, I could leave elegantly, and most importantly not feel stuck.

Q: What is one thing people would be surprised to find out about you?

A: How calm I actually am; my characters on stage seem to be opposite of that. I also collect and fly RC (model) planes and can just about repair anything.

Q: Please describe your ideal San Diego weekend.

A: A barbecue with my family and friends, and dinner at the Hotel del Coronado, where I proposed to my soon-to-be wife, Ciara.